Drugs reference index «labetalol»

labetalol

What is labetalol?

Labetalol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Labetalol is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Labetalol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about labetalol?

Do not stop taking labetalol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

If you need to have any type of surgery, you may need to temporarily stop using labetalol. Be sure the surgeon knows ahead of time that you are using labetalol.

Labetalol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking labetalol.

Labetalol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking labetalol?

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use labetalol, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Labetalol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using labetalol.

How should I take labetalol?

Take labetalol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.

Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Take labetalol at the same time every day.

Do not skip doses or stop taking labetalol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using labetalol. You may need to briefly stop using labetalol before having surgery.

Labetalol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

Store labetalol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also:Labetalol dosage in more detail

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 8 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a labetalol overdose may include uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking labetalol?

Labetalol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking labetalol.

Labetalol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Labetalol Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Oral:Initial dose: 100 mg orally twice a day whether used alone or added to a diuretic regimen. Maintenance dose: 200 to 400 mg orally twice a day.Parenteral:Repeated IV Injection: Initial dose: 20 mg (0.25 mg/kg) by slow IV injection over a 2 minute period.Additional injections of 40 to 80 mg can be given at 10 minute intervals until a desired supine blood pressure is achieved or a total of 300 mg of labetalol has been injected. The maximum effect usually occurs within 5 minutes of each injection.Slow continuous IV Infusion: Add 40 mL of labetalol Injection to 160 mL of a commonly used IV fluid such that the resultant 200 mL of solution contains 200 mg of labetalol, 1 mg/mL. The diluted solution should be administered at a rate of 2 mL/min to deliver 2 mg/min.Alternatively, add 40 mL of labetalol Injection to 250 mL of a commonly used IV fluid. The resultant solution will contain 200 mg of labetalol, approximately 2 mg/3 mL. The diluted solution should be administered at a rate of 3 mL/min to deliver approximately 2 mg/min.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertensive Emergency:

Oral:Initial dose: 100 mg orally twice a day whether used alone or added to a diuretic regimen. Maintenance dose: 200 to 400 mg orally twice a day.Parenteral:Repeated IV Injection: Initial dose: 20 mg (0.25 mg/kg) by slow IV injection over a 2 minute period.Additional injections of 40 to 80 mg can be given at 10 minute intervals until a desired supine blood pressure is achieved or a total of 300 mg of labetalol has been injected. The maximum effect usually occurs within 5 minutes of each injection.Slow continuous IV Infusion: Add 40 mL of labetalol Injection to 160 mL of a commonly used IV fluid such that the resultant 200 mL of solution contains 200 mg of labetalol, 1 mg/mL. The diluted solution should be administered at a rate of 2 mL/min to deliver 2 mg/min.Alternatively, add 40 mL of labetalol Injection to 250 mL of a commonly used IV fluid. The resultant solution will contain 200 mg of labetalol, approximately 2 mg/3 mL. The diluted solution should be administered at a rate of 3 mL/min to deliver approximately 2 mg/min.

Usual Adult Dose for Pheochromocytoma:

Oral:Initial dose: 100 mg orally twice a day whether used alone or added to a diuretic regimen. Maintenance dose: 200 to 400 mg orally twice a day.Parenteral:Repeated IV Injection: Initial dose: 20 mg (0.25 mg/kg) by slow IV injection over a 2 minute period.Additional injections of 40 to 80 mg can be given at 10 minute intervals until a desired supine blood pressure is achieved or a total of 300 mg of labetalol has been injected. The maximum effect usually occurs within 5 minutes of each injection.Slow continuous IV Infusion: Add 40 mL of labetalol Injection to 160 mL of a commonly used IV fluid such that the resultant 200 mL of solution contains 200 mg of labetalol, 1 mg/mL. The diluted solution should be administered at a rate of 2 mL/min to deliver 2 mg/min.Alternatively, add 40 mL of labetalol Injection to 250 mL of a commonly used IV fluid. The resultant solution will contain 200 mg of labetalol, approximately 2 mg/3 mL. The diluted solution should be administered at a rate of 3 mL/min to deliver approximately 2 mg/min.

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take labetalol, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect labetalol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has additional information about labetalol written for health professionals that you may read.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

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